Range guard



May 16, 1967 J. 1.. NAZZARO RANGE GUARD Filed Oct. 13, 1965 1N VEN TOR. BY QB m I a N L m e m J United States Patent Ofi 3,319,620 Patented May 16, 1967 tice 3,319,620 RANGE GUARD Joseph L. Nazzaro, 13 Oakland Ave., Jersey City, NJ. 07306 Filed Oct. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 495,664 8 Claims. (Cl. 126-211) This invention relates generally to improvements in ranges, and more particularly to a novel range guard construction for use on kitchen ranges.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a quick-mounting range guard for use with kitchen ranges which will prevent pots and pans and the like from sliding therefrom.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel range guard for use with kitchen ranges which will prevent pots and pans from sliding therefrom as well as preventing grease, oil and the like from spattering on the wall behind the range.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a range guard of the character described which provides means for carrying kitchen utensiles or implements thereon.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide four types of back guards for ranges, each of which has the same novel guard rim for use therewith in order to prevent pots and pans from sliding off the range.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a range guard which may be easily fabricated out of readily available materials, and which may be folded into a substantially small shipping package, while at the same time being readily unfolded for mounting on a kitchen range.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of a kitchen range of generally conventional variety having a first embodiment of the range guard comprising the present invention mounted in place thereon;

FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the range guard comprising the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a partial side elevational view of the range guard illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 44 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective View illustrating a third preferred embodiment of the range guard comprising the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective View of a fourth preferred embodiment of range guard comprising the present invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and Jarticularly to FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, reference numeral [0 generally denotes a kitchen range having the usual Jurners 12 on the top surface 14 thereof. The range urther includes a vertical wall or splash-back 16 at the rack end of surface 14 thereof in order to prevent the plashing of cooking oil, grease or the like on the wall 8 against which range 10 is placed.

The range guard comprising a first embodiment of the resent invention is generally denoted by reference umeral 20, and includes a back rim generally denoted y reference numeral 22 and a guard rim generally deoted by reference numeral 24. The back rim 22 intudes a pair of side rims 26 and 28 and a top rim 30 rining the side rims 26 and 28 in order to form a substantially U-shaped member. The side rims 26 and 28 are integrally formed with the top rim 30, each of the aforementioned rims being substantially wider than they are thick, the top rim 30 being of a length approximately equal to the width of a standard kitchen range. Of course, as will be appreciated, inasmuch as kitchen ranges vary in width, the top rim 30 may be of various lengths in order to be used with various size kitchen ranges.

A pair of forwardly extending legs 32 and 34 are integrally formed with side rims 26 and 28 respectively and extend a short distance forwardly therefrom, the legs 32 and 34 being adapted to be disposed adjacent the opposite sides of the range when the guard 20 is in place thereon.

The guard rim 24 includes a pair of side rims 38 and 49 and a front rim 42, the side rims 38 and 40 being hingedly attached to the front rim 42 at opposite ends thereof by suitable hinges 44. Thus, it will be observed that the side rims 38 and 40 may be folded inwardly against the back face of front rim 42 in order to provide a relatively small package for shipping of the guard 20. The front rim 42 is substantially the same length as the top rim 30 of back rim 22 whereby the front rim 42 may be positioned across the full width of a range 10.

The legs 32 and 34 have elongate slots 46 therein and the side rims 38 and 40 have mounting holes therein, whereby threaded attaching members such as the wing nut 48 and bolt 50 may be mounted therethrough in order to mount the guard rim 24 on the legs. Further, the slots 46 are of such length that the guard rim 24, when mounted on legs 32 and 34, may he slid and adjusted inwardly or outwardly in order to accommodate to ranges of various depths. Further, the bolts 50 provide a mounting for the guard rim 24 on legs 32 and 34 whereby the guard rim 24 may be positioned adjacent the side and front edges of range 10 or may be swung upwardly above the plane defined by the top 14 thereof. This position of the guard rim 24 may be best appreciated by viewing the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 5. It is anticipated that the back rim 22 will be suitably attached to the wall 18 so that the bottom edges of legs 32 and 34 are substantially even with the plane defined by the top 14 of the range. Thus, when the side rims 38 and 40 are mounted on the legs 32 and 34 the side rims 38 and 40 as well as the front rim 42 will extend substantially above the top 14 of the range, as'best illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. Of course, the height of side rims 38 and 40 as well as front rim 42 may be varied according to the circumstances of use of the guard 20. Thus, if it is contemplated that the range guard 20 will be used on a range in a household in which young children are raised, the height of the side rims 38 and 40 and front rim 42 will be increased whereby the children will not be able inches above the range top.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, it will be observed that a plurality of hooks 52 are mounted on top rim 30 of back n'm 22, the hooks 52 extending forwardly over the range 10 whereby kitchen utensils 54 may be hung for ready access thereto.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 for a description of a second embodiment of the present invention, it will be observed that the back rim 22 is replaced by a wall shield 56 of generally rectangular dimensions, the wall shield 56 having a length substantially equal to the Width of the range, and a height which will shield the wall behind the range from being splattered by cooking oils, greases or the The wall shield 56 has a front face 58 on which generally rectangular andfiat sheet adapted to are integrally formed a pair of forwardly extending legs 60 and 62 similar to the legs 32 and 34 described above. The legs 60 and 62 include a plurality of suitably shaped mounting holes 64 therein for attaching a guard rim identical to the guard rim 24 described above thereto. While the illustration of FIGURE 2 does not disclose the guard rim 24 mounted on legs 60 and 62, it will be readily appreciated that the mounting will be similar to the mounting illustrated in FIGURE 1. Further, while a plurality of mounting holes or openings 64 are disclosed through legs 60 and 62, it will be appreciated that equivalent openingssimilar to slots 46 may be provided therein.

A plurality of hooks-66 are mounted on the front face 58 of wall shield 56, the hooks 66 being similar to the hooks 52 described above and adapted to support kitchen utensils or the like. Further, mounting holes 6% and 70 are provided in the wall shield 56 in order to attach the wall shield 56 to the range or to the wall behind the range by suitable attaching means.

Referring now to FIGURE for a third embodiment of the range guard comprising the present invention a Wall shield 72 substantially identical to the wall shield 56 described above is illustrated. The wall shield 72 is a be mounted on arange or the wall behind the range .by suitable attaching means extending through mounting holes 74 and 76. Further, a pair of legs 78 and 80 extend from the front face 82 of the wall shield 72, the legs having a plurality of mounting holes 82 (circular or non-circular) therein on which is mounted a guard rim 84 substantially identical to the guard rim 24 described with relation to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1. The guard rim 84 includes the side rims 86 and 83 and front rim 90, the side rims 86 and 88 being hingedly mounted to front rim 90 by suitable hinges 92. The side rims 86 and 88 are mounted on legs 78 and 80 by suitable bolts or other connecting means 94, and thus the guard rim 84 may be swung upwardly to the position indicated by reference numeral 96, as described above. Further, it will be appreciated that the guard rim 84 will extend about a range as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3 above. Also, it will be apparent that the height of side rims 86 and 88 as well as front rim 90 may be varied as described above. Still further, the wall shield 72 will span the wall surface behind the range in order to prevent the spattering of cooking grease or oil on the wall, and the guard rim '84 will prevent pots and pans and the like from being knocked off the range.

Referring now to FIGURE 6 for a description of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a wall shield 98 having forwardly directed legs 100 and 102 thereon is illustrated. The wall shield 98 is somewhat similar to the wall shields 56 and 72 described above, being of gen erally rectangular configuration. However, in this embodiment of the invention a shelf 104 including a horizontal portion 106 and vertical front wall 108 is attached to the upper edge 110 of the wall shield. Thus, it will be apparent that various kitchen utensils as well as condiment bottles or the like (not shown) may be stationed on the horizontal shelf portion 106, the front wall 108 preventing the articles from being in advertently knocked off the horizontal shelf portion. Further, a pair of mounting holes 112 and 114 are .provided'in order to fasten the wall shield 98 to a range or the wall behind a range by suitable attaching means.

Accordingly, in view of the above, it will be apparent that four embodiments of range guards, for use on kitchen ranges, are illustrated herein, each of which comprises a vertical back means (frame, rim, shield or the like) 'having horizontal forwardly extending legs thereon on which a U-shaped guard rim may be mounted in order to prevent pots and pans or the like from being knocked off the range. Both the back means, rim 22 and wall shields 56, 72 or 98, are mounted to the wall behind the range so that the complemental horizontal side rims 38 and 40, 86

and 88 are retained on the vertical back rim or wall shields outwardly adjacent the range top with the front rims 42 and 96 resting on the range top.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A readily applicable and removable kitchen range safety guard comprising, in combination, a guard adapted to be disposed in a first position about the upper edge of the front and side of a kitchen range with portions of said guard extending above the plane defined by the range top, means at right angles to and for supporting said guard, said supporting means including leg means resting atop but free of positive connection with said range top said guard including side rim portions hingedly attached to said leg means whereby said guard is rotatable from a first horizontal in-use position to a second position above the plane defined by the range top.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said guard includes front rim means hingedly connected to said side rim portions whereby said guard is substantially U-shaped in plan. a

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said supporting means comprises a substantially U-shaped back rim capable of attachment to a fixed wall surface and including first and second upstanding side rims integrally connected to said leg means and a top rim connecting said first and second side rims, and hook means on said top rim for supporting various utensils.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said supporting means comprises a generally rectangular wall shield, said leg means mounted substantially perpendicularly on opposite ends of one face of said wall shield, and means for mounting said wall shield on a wall surface adjacent a kitchen range, and hook means fixed on said wall shield for supporting various utensils.

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said supporting means comprises a generally rectangular wall shield, said leg means mounted substantially perpendicular on opposite ends of one face of said wall shield, and means for mounting said wall shield on a wall surface adjacent a kitchen range and including shelf means on said wall shield, said shelf means extending at substantially right angles lateral-1y outwardly of said one face, and wall means on said shelf means, said wall means extending at substantially right angles upwardly from said shelf means and substantially parallel to said wall shield means.

6. A safety guard for use atop a kitchen range "comprising, in combination, a vertically disposed member of a length commensurate with the length of and cooperable with that marginal edge of the top of the range which is proximal and parallel to a coacting kitchen wall surface, said member having means whereby it may be temporarily but fixedly joined to that portion of the wall surface which is spanned thereby, said member having means along an upper marginal edge portion thereof adapted to accommodatingly support miscellaneous kitchen utensils, said member having left and right corner portions provided with spaced parallel horizontally disposed legs, said legs adapted to rest atop coacting surface portions of the range top but being free of positive mechanical connection to said range top, a second member complemental tc said first member and constituting and providing a guard and being adapted to assume a horizontal plane and being substantially U-shaped in .plan and embodying a fron' rim member provided at its respective ends with end rirr members'at right angles to the front rim member an( parallel to each other and having rearward ends over lapping and detachably and adjustably connected to theii respectively cooperable legs, lower edge portions of said end rim members depending below and bordering and embracing end vertical surfaces of the range, all of the upper portions of the respective rim members projecting to a plane above the surface of the range top to accomplish the desired safeguarding result.

7. The guard according to claim 6 and wherein said first member is substantially U-shaped and is provided with utensil supporting selectively usable hooks.

8. The guard according to claim 6 and wherein said first named member comprises a substantially rectangular plate providing a Wall seal, the upper edge portion of said wall seal being provided with shelf means extending at substantial right angles forwardly and outwardly of the face of the shield and an upstanding flange carried by UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,051,776 1/1913 Stiles 126-214 1,952,749 3/1934 Ellis 12624 X 2,699,162 1/1955 Nazzaro 126-24 X 2,869,949 1/ 1959 Kennedy et al 126-24 X FOREIGN PATENTS 859,060 12/1952 Germany. 462,066 3/ 1937 Great Britain.

5 E. G. FAVORS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A READILY APPLICABLE AND REMOVABLE KITCHEN RANGE SAFETY GUARD COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A GUARD ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN A FIRST POSITION ABOUT THE UPPER EDGE OF THE FRONT AND SIDE OF A KITCHEN RANGE WITH PORTIONS OF SAID GUARD EXTENDING ABOVE THE PLANE DEFINED BY THE RANGE TOP, MEANS AT RIGHT ANGLES TO AND FOR SUPPORTING SAID GUARD, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING LEG MEANS RESTING ATOP BUT FREE OF POSITIVE CONNECTION WITH SAID RANGE TOP SAID GUARD INCLUDING SIDE RIM PORTIONS HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO SAID LEG MEANS WHEREBY SAID GUARD IS ROTATABLE FROM A FIRST HORIZONTAL IN-USE POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION ABOVE THE PLANE DEFINED BY THE RANGE TOP. 